Pump rod assembly



1956 c. LEIBENSPERGER 73-,671

PUMP ROD ASSEMBLY Filed March .20 1952 fi INVENTOR.

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PUMP` ROD ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Parent i PUMP ROD ASSEMBLY Charles lsaac Leibensperge', Columbus, Ohio Application March 20, 1952, Serial No. 277,675

4 Claims. (CI. 255-28) V My invention relates generally to pump rods and couplings and more particularly to a flexible pump rod assembly adapted to conform to a gradual curvature in a well p An object of this invention is to provide a pump rod assembly wherein a simple, inexpensve coupling is utilized to join rod segments made from standard mill stock lumber of rectangular cross section.

Another object of this invention is to join alternate rod segments at ninety degrees to each other, with respect to their rectangular cross sections, by means of a novel coupling. The result is to affect a minimum of clearance between the rod and the pipe well, thereby reducing the tendency in the rods to buckle. At the same time, by placing the alternate rod segments at ninety degrees to each other, with respect to their rectangular cross sections, some flexibility is maintained wherein the rods may conform to a gradual curvature in a well pipe.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred forms of embodiments of the invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings: A

Fig. 1 is a side view, partially in elevation and partially in section, showing pump rod segments and a coupling constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and showing the coupling and pump rod segments of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a side view, partially in elevation and partially in section, showing another coupling embodiment constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 5 is 'a partial perspective ,view of the coupling of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a side View, partially in elevation and partially in section, of a well showing the installation of a pump rod assembly formed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a side view showing still another coupling embodiment constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawing and more particularly to Fig. 1, a drop pipe 10, such as is used in wells to encase pump rod assemblies, is shown. Within the drop pipe 10, pump rod segments 11 and 12 are shown joined so that such' alternate rods 11 and 12 are at ninety degrees to each other with respect to their rectangular cross sections. The pump rod segments 11 and 12 are preferably made from standard mill stock lumber of rectangular crosssection and of a standard length. These two pump rod segments are joined by means of two metal straps 13 and 14, with each of said straps having a ninety degree twist at its center. Both the straps 13 and 14 are identical. For

convenience of description the details of strap 14 will be Ptented Dec. 11, 1956 described and indicated on the drawing. Strap 14, Fig. 1, has an upper plane portion indicated at 15 and a lower plane portion indicated at 16. These plane portions are provided with protruding portions 17 which extend into recesses countersunk in the wood pump rod segments to provide additional bearng 'area for the metal coupling straps relative to the Wood pump rod segments. These protrusions 17 are preferably integrally formed in the plane portions of the coupling straps by stanping, and are provided with holes 19 for receiving the bolts 20. The nuts 21 cooperate with the bolts 20 to secure the metal coupling straps to the ends of the pump rod segments in lap joined relation. In Fig. 3 the same coupling shown in Fig. 1 is pictured in perspective to more clearly illustrate the ninety degree twist that is formed in each metal coupling strap.

In Fig. 4 a drop pipe 30, such as is commonly used in wells for enclosing the pump rod assembly, is shown. Pump rod segments 31 and 32 are shown encased in the drop pipe 30. This particular embodiment utilizes a different coupling structure indicated generally at 33. A metal block 34 is provided with a male threaded portion 35 formed thereon. A second metal block 36 is provided with a female threaded portion 37 formed therein. The metal block 34 is joined to the pump rod segment 31 by means of two metal straps 38 and 39 and the metal block 36 is joined to the lower pump rod segment 32 by the two metal straps 41 and 42. All of the metal straps are identical, and each is provided with integrally formed protrusions 43 which serve as additional bearng surfaces between the metal straps and the metal blocks 34 and 36 and between the metal straps and the pump rod segments 31 and 32 to which such metal straps are lap joined. The metal blocks 34 and 36 are provided with countersinks 45 for receiving the projecting bearng sections 43 of the straps. Likewise, the pump rod segments 31 and 32 are provided with countersinks 46 for receiving the pro-t truding bearng portions 43 of the metal straps. To lap join the metal blocks to the pump rod segments, bolts 48 and nuts 49 are provided. The shanks of such bolts are passed through holes 50 in the metal strap and through holes 51 in the blocks and through holes 52 in the pump rod segments.

The threaded type coupling 33, shown in Figs. 4 and 5, is constructed so that when the threaded portions 35 and 37 are engaged and tightened, the pump rod segments 31 and 32 will be maintained in a joined relationship such that the alternate rods are at substantially ninety degrees to each other with respect to their rectangular cross sections.

Fig. 7 shows an additional embodiment of the same invention. This embodiment is similar to the twisted strap coupling first described but diifers from it in that only one such strap is used. When a single strap type coupling is used, such strap is formed from heavier metal than that used in the double strap coupling previously described. In this latter embodiment pump rod segments 61 and 62 are joined by a single twisted strap 63. Such strap is lap joined to the respective pump rod segments by the bolts 64 and the nuts 65 which are passed through holes 66 in the pump rod segments and holes 67 in the coupling strap. Here again, as in the previous embodiment, the metal straps are provided with projecting bearng portions 63 which are preferably stamped into the strap. Bearing washers 69 are countersunk into the pump rod segments sections.

Fig. 6 shows a typical water well 70 sunk into the earth which is indicated generally at 71. that this well is shown to have a gradual curvature such as ftequenlyesultsjn the Sinking otwater wells. A ump j k i d at sral y.. 1. 2 r at ate the-pumprod assembly which isshgwn encased in ther p pine At thebotmm, fl h el a a it pipe 75 is provided i n as a working barrel 76 in the conventional manrer Holes 77 are .proyidedin thecasing -pipe to allow the infiltration of water. To connect the pump jack' 72 with the Wo king barrel 76 located at the bottom of the well, the; pump rod segments 80, 81 and 82 are shownconsecutively connected by thetwisted t n type o pl g 84 d ch. o as have prevously bee idescribed in detail. With a well ot cunvedconfiguration as, is shown'in Fig. 6 most of the bending will occurin the pump rod segmentswhich have their cross sections disppsed relative to the well curvature in a manner exemplified by the rodsegmnt 81, In otherwords, Witha well curvature such as is shown in ,Fig. 6, the segments, which are disposed relative to such cur vature in the manner of segment 81, will be easily bent to conform the pump rodj assembly to the well curvature. On the other hand thesegments 8 0 and 8 2 which are disposed ninety degrees to the segment such as 81, will remain practically unbent when disposed ina well cnrvature such as is shown in Fig. 6. It should be noted that there is very little clearance betweenthe rod segments and the drop pipe in the direction otthe width of the segments. I prefer to make the width dimension of the rod segment about inch less than the inside diameter, of the drop pipe. This close fit permits the application` of pressure on a down stroke without buckling the rod segments when double acting working barrels are used,

Itshould be noted that with my inexpensve type of coupling it is economically advantageous touse a greater number ofshorter rod segments which necessarily require the use of a greater number of couplings. This feature provides two main, advantages. Shorter wooden rod segments can bemadefrom standard mill lumb er of standard, readily available, planks. This results in a great saving in pump rod segment cost.

Secondly, since the couplings themselves are of a simple inexpensive type, a greater number-of -such couplings can be used in a well of given depth,withou t in; curring excessive coupling expense. Hence it may.` be seen, that not onlydoes mypunp rod assembly provide afiexible installation for curved wells, but it also furnishes a mechanin which will fnnctionwith a minimum of objecttonable noise By making up, a purnp'od assemyi f a &te ter mbe fv o x p o e m e as I prefer to do in the present teaching, "I find that the asanbly f: me ts wi l enim a o s r t n that mor t ly m orm th' h nfis t i h well curvature This is: true because bending of the assemhly to conform with well curvature most, rcadly occurs along those of the segmente which have their small cross-sectional dimension subjected 'to bending by thewell curvatnre. Sueha segment is illustrated at 81 in figure 6. Hence by` employing a relatively large number of segments, those of the-segmente which have their small crosssectional dimensions disposed favorably for the wellcurvature will occuj at morefreqnent inter- Vals along thelongituclinal extent of the assembly whereby the assembly canbendwith amore continuous arc which .mo re accurately contorms With the well curvature. At the same time by increasing the number of pump rod segmente through the use of mynovel couplings', Ieffet a great saving in the cost of pump rod mb r- While the forms of enhodiment of the present inven- 9t hasan. dilgsd a t t t Preis-Un f m it to be understood that other forms might be adopte d; all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

It should be noted I claim:

l. A flexible pump rod assembly for curved wells comprising, in combination, a plurality of fiexible rod segments of rectangular cross section consecutively disposed end to end, the width of each segment being greater than the thickness thereof, each of said segments having end portions provided with holes, and axes of length, width and thickness with the axis of width of each segment being disposed at substantially ninety degrees to the axis of width of the next adjoning segment, and a coupling comprising a pair of metal straps eachof which has a twisted center portion connecting plane end portions which are disposed substantially ninety degrees to each other, with one plane end portion of each strap being lap joined to the end of a segment along the face of such segment corresponding to the axis of width and with the other plane end portion of said strap being lap joined to the end ofthe next succeeding segment along the face of such segment corresponding to the axisof width with holes in eachof said plane end portions located to registe with said holes'in the adjoining segment end, and fastening means passing through the holes in said straps and said segment'endsor securing san'e in lap joined relation.

2. A exible pump rod asemblyor c rved wells cojnprisng incombinatipnya pluralitys of' flexible rdd segmentsof rectangnlar cross section consecutively disposed end to end, thewidth of each segment being greater than the thickness thereof, each ot said segments having end portiors provided with heles,: and axes of length, width and ac s i h the b d t hs being 'disposedat subtantally ninety' degrees to the. of Width v i. he tt adi i e nd. plin comprsing a p air of metal straps each of whichhas a twisted center p rt on mn ctn Pl end portions which are disposed substantially ninety degrees to each h wi h ne` plane n por io a Strap e n p ioi smih nd t m n lo the e f` h segment corresponding to the aXis of width and with the other plane end portion of said strapbeing lap joined to the end of the next succeeding segmentalong' the face of such segmentcorresponding to theax isof width, with h il m nd pott oa a h u n tran p ed h r md n a n p mpa-s mendime q t s ment end jindthereto, with h oles in each of saidpro'- radi eari por on laca te lv e s e With d ol in the adjoining segment end, andfasteningmeans passing through theholesin said straps and saidjsegmen t ends for securing same in lap joined relation.

3. A fletiblepump rod assembly for curvedwells comprising in combination, a plnrality of flexible rod segments of rectangular cross section consecutively disposed end to end, the width of each segmentbeing greate' than the thickness 'thereof, each of said segments having axes of length width and thiekness With the axis of width of each segment beingdisposed at s nb stantially ninety degrees to the axis of width of the next adjoining segment, a coupling comprising metal strap means mounted on each segment end and extending to the end of the next suceeding segment, With said sti-ap means having a twisted -center portion connecting plane end portions which are disposed substantially' ninety degrees to each other, with oneiofsaid plane end portions being lap joined to the end of a segment along the face of such segment correponding to the axis of Widthiand with the other of said plane end portions being lap joined to the end otthe next sncceedingsegment along the face of such segment corresponding to the axisof Width, and means for securing said planeendportion of said coupling to said faces ot saidsegment. I

4. A fiexible pump rod assemb'ly for curved wells comprising, in combination, a plurality of flexible rod segments of rectangular cross section consecitively disposed -cndto e nd, thewidth of each segmentlbeing greater than m' thicknethereof, each of said segmntshaving axes of length, width and thickness with the axs of width of each segment being disposed at substantally nnety degrees to the axs of width of the next adjonng segment, a coupling comprsng a pair of metal straps each of which has a twisted center portion connectng plane 'end portons which are disposed substantally ninety degrees to each other, with the plane end portons of the strap being lap joined to the end of a segment along the face of such segment correspondng to the axis of width and with the other plane end portion of said strap being lap joined to the end of the next 'succeedng segment along the face of 'such segment corresponding to the axs of width, 'and means for securng said plane end portions of sad couplng to said faces of said segments.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

